The Anti-Corruption Court has remanded Ambassador Herbert Kiguli to Luzira Prison over allegations that he caused a financial loss of Shs 494.1 million to the government while serving at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
Kiguli, 59, the Consul General at Uganda’s Consulate General in Mombasa, Kenya, was charged with causing financial loss and abuse of office.
He appeared before Christopher Opit, the Anti-Corruption Court principal magistrate, on Monday, where the charges were read and explained to him. Kiguli denied the allegations.
The court ordered that he be remanded to Luzira Prison until Wednesday, October 7, when he is expected to return for the hearing of his bail application.
Prosecution alleges that on November 9 and 10, 2020, Kiguli, who was then Commissioner for Human Resource Management at MAAIF in Entebbe, originated and signed five requisitions on behalf of the principal of Bukalasa Agricultural College.
The requisitions amounted to Shs614.8 million and allegedly resulted in a financial loss of Shs 494.1 million to the government.
According to the prosecution, the money was neither budgeted for nor expected by Bukalasa Agricultural College at the time.
Prosecution further alleges that there was no valid memorandum of understanding governing the financial relationship between the college and MAAIF when the funds were requisitioned.
The money was reportedly intended for various MAAIF activities that could not be carried out because of restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) arrested Kiguli before presenting him before the Anti-Corruption Court to face the charges.
The Inspectorate was represented in court by William Moses Ntumwa.
The allegations against Kiguli have not been proved in court, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
